Fentanyl-Laced Pills Flooding Texas, 40 Other States

According to media reports and the Partnership for Safe Medicines, Texas is one of 40 states being flooded with fentanyl-laced pills.1 These pills are rapidly being distributed across the nation and are sold on the streets as painkillers and medications, although they are counterfeit.

Fentanyl is often used to treat severe pain, but as illegal drug manufacturers and dealers have combined it with other substances like ecstasy and opioids, fentanyl-related overdose deaths have become a major concern here in Texas and elsewhere.

The Scope of the Fentanyl Problem

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), out of a total of 5,152 opioid overdose deaths from July 1 to December 31, 2016, nearly 3,000 of them tested positive for fentanyl. An additional 700 tested positive for fentanyl analogs, including carfentanil, which is a drug used to sedate large animals.2

One Texas newspaper reports that fentanyl-related overdose deaths have occurred in Arlington and Fort Worth, Texas and that the state is an easy target for illegally shipped drugs from China and other areas.3

The Partnership for Safe Medicines states that although 40 states have reported finding counterfeit pills made with fentanyl, the problem is likely still being underreported.

Overcoming Drug Abuse with Drug and Alcohol Rehab

If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance abuse problem, you may be in more danger than you think. Fentanyl-laced pills are extremely dangerous and any other substances you buy on the street could be laced with this drug as well.

Since it is difficult to detect the presence of fentanyl in a substance without proper testing, you could easily ingest a life-threatening amount of it while using a substance you purchased from a drug dealer. Even just a small amount of fentanyl could cause a lethal overdose.

If you need assistance overcoming a drug addiction, Nova Recovery Center is here to help. Our long-term drug and alcohol rehab program is designed to give you the time, support, and tools you need to overcome addiction and begin living a life of sobriety. Please contact our admissions team today to speak with a Nova representative and to learn more about your treatment options at our rehab center.